The Rockwood School District Board of Education adopted a new grading and reporting policy known as standards based grading on October 19, 2006.
“Standards based grading is simply a system where teachers communicate clearly to students what they are supposed to know and be able to do relate to course curriculum,” Roxanna Mechem, Director of Assessment and School Climate, said.
To be implemented at the high schools in 2014, standards based grading is the second policy regarding grades and reporting since 1977
“Basically it’s a way to effectively report what a student knows and is able to do,” Principal Greg Mathison said.
The use of standards based grading is to make grades throughout the Rockwood School District standard. The use of this policy will ensure that an ‘A’ in World History at one high school is equivalent to an ‘A’ in World History at another high school.
And although a new policy is being put into action, Mechem reassures no significant change will be made in the traditional letter grading system.
“While it is possible that an individual student might see some changes in how teachers score their work that could affect grades, teachers will continue to use district curriculum, resources, and best practices in instruction and assessment,” Mechem said.
Some basic policies of standard based grading include clear and timely communication of expectations, grading criteria and district curriculum objectives, opportunities for student involvement in the learning process, use of a variety of assessment methods over time, alignment of assessments to district curriculum objectives and achievement level of student related curriculum objectives.
In addition to these changes, homework grades will also be altered as an effect of standards based grading. Instead of being given completion points on each homework assignment, students will only be graded on assessments or tests. Students are expected to complete each homework assignment in order to succeed on tests and ultimately meet the standards required of the new policy.
Kellie Godfrey, senior, enjoys the fairness she feels standards based grading will bring to Rockwood.
“It’s better for students because it’s fairer for your GPA,” Godfrey said. “Now the same class at one school won’t be any harder at another so the results will be more accurate.”
Although standards based grading will bring more equality into Rockwood, Godfrey has some concerns about the new policy as well.
“I think there is definitely a downside,” Godfrey said. “If there are no completion points given on homework, some kids might not do it and in turn not learn the material for the class they are in.”
With both positive and negative aspects pointed out about the new policy, Mechem assures standards based grading is what’s best for Rockwood.
“The only reason that the district is engaged in work related to standards based grading is to improve opportunities for student learning and to make sure that we are able to give students and their parents the best possible information about what students know and can do related to curriculum,” Mechem said.
Mechem also said that the new policy should not affect any college admissions due to the letter grading system in place.